Compasses.



F. B. SHEPPARD.

COMP/Asses.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 26| l9l8. 1,298,585. Patented' Mau'. 25, 1919.

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FLOYD BI SHEPPARD, OF WAYLAN'D, NEW-YORK.

COMPASSES.

Application filed November 26, 1918.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FLOYD B. SHEPPARD,a Citizen vof the United States, residing at Vayland, in the county of Steuben and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Compasses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improved compass, especially adapted for use for drawing circles, arcs and curves on a black board or other suitable surface, the object of the invention being to provide an improved compass of this kind which is simple in construction, is extremely compact, and which can be used for drawing circles of any desired radius. f

l/Vith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of devices hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the compass constructed yand arranged in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 -is a plan of the same, showing the compass 1n use.

Figs. 3 and 4 are detail sectional views.

In the embodiment of my invention, I provide an axis stud 1 which is pointed at one end as at 2 to form the center of a circle to be drawn by the'compass. The axis stud has a slot 3 extending therethrough. A supporting base 4 is provided which comprises a central portion 5 having three or any suitable number of radially arranged legs 6. The central portion of the supporting base is provided with a central opening through which the axis stud extends and so that the axis stud is pivotally mounted in the base. A washer 7 is arranged on the axis stud below the central portion of the base and is held in contact therewith by a pin 8. The legs of the supporting base have outwardly turned lower portions 9 each of which is provided on its under side with points 10. Cushions 11 of rubber or other suitable material are secured on the under sides of the portions 9, the points 10 being embedded in said cushions and serving to assist in holding them securely in place. The cushions present friction surfaces which enable the supporting base to be readily held against movement when placed on a black board or the like to form the center of a circle which it is desired to inscribe on the black board.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 25, 1919.

serial No. 264,188.

be held at anydesired adjustment by means of thethumb nut 15 which is threaded on the upper portion of the axis stud as shown. The said` arm 13 of the frame has at its shorter end, which projects from one side of the axis stud, a parallel gage slot 16.

A reel or drum 17 for a tape line 18 of any suitable length has its shaft l19 mounted in bearings in the upper and lower arms of the frame 12. The heads 20 of the tape reel are beveled or rounded on their. opposing sides at their edges, to preventthe tape from running upon their outer edges. The central portion of the reel shaft is milled or roughened asat 2l to facilitate the attachment and securing of the inner end of the tape thereto. The upper end of the reel shaft is also knurled as at 22 to enable the reel to be readily turned by the thumband forenger to wind up the tape. tends from the reel out through the centrally arranged slot 3 with which the axis stud 1 is provided. l

The outer end of the tape is attached to one side of a tubular chalk holder 23, said outer end of the tape being inserted in a slit 24 and the chalk holder having outwardly turned lips 25 at the sides of said slit and which bear against the tape and correspond with the outer end or`No. l of a scale or other unit of measure with which the tape is provided. The chalk holder is slightly enlarged at its upper end as at 2G to facilitate the placing of the chalk therein and the chalk holder is provided on the side opposite the slit 24 with a split 27 which extends to the lower or smaller end of the chalk holder and widens slightly toward said end and adapts the chalk holder to frctionally grip the chalk therein.

To use the compass for drawing a circle or arc of any desired radius the tape is drawn from the reel to a corresponding extent through the slot 3 of the axis stud, the scale on the tape enabling this to be readily determined, as will be understood. With the left hand the compass is held with the sup- The tape exn from 'they axis stud [and in line With the pan' l porting basebearng on the black board or other surface, With the po-int ofthe aXis stud forming the center of'the,fdesiredr"circle,1and with the right hand the user grasps the chalk holder and draws the tape straight lout allel--gage or slot '16 ofthe upper arm'l ofthe reel frame. reel may be prevented by screwing the thumbi nut- 4onthefarm 13 to cause' the latter' tolpress onthe yupper ylhead of thetape reel and act as la brake. Thedesired circle A or .arc is drawn on itherblack boardlby.y the chalk, aswill be understood;`

While l .have .herein .show-n .and described preferred (embodiments, of lmy invention, II Will have it :understoodthalt changes may be Y made in the form, proportion and construcprising e, collar encirclingthe stud,:legsfsecuredto saidcollar 'and Washers carrie-dvby the lower ends of saidflegs'. p 2. In a compass of the class described, :an

Casual f rotation of ,the

ax'is stud, afname attachedthereto and eX tending from one side thereof, a tape reel vtmminted;iin-,said''rfnme, means. to attach a chalk or the like tothe free end of the tape,

-sa-ild frame having a spring arm movable With respect to the -aXis stud and bearing on one end fthe reel, and a nut lthreaded.'on

4theaxisstud.andbearinggg on said spring arm to cause thel'atter'to apply'brake pressure on the reel. Y, l y

3. A. compassefzthe classzdescribed, comprising 2a .-supporbinggibase,an 'axis stud mounted rter rotationiin. the base,.;far-ira1ne mounted ronethezaxisstud `and :',extending from vene 4`side vthereQ, ta tape #reel 45 mounted in fsa-idiframe,,thegsaidaxisfstud having a frslot `.extending therethrough for the passagesofthetape fromthereeL 'l A..Atcompass offtheclassfdescribed, comprising ;a Jsnipportivng hase, anzaxis .stud mounted .for f rotation inthe. base, a lframe mounted on r:the f, axis stud andV .extending from one side thereof, and :a: tape reel mounted i in i said iframe, dthe .said axis :stud having a slot extending therethnougfh for the passage of `lthe1 tz ipe .from the rech-:said frame .also having @a parallel gage lin line Withthe ftapefslot.

In testimony-v Whereo'f-.RI .aiiix my. signature;

"Copies of thispatentmay be obtained{or-"tive` cents eachg-by addressing the Commissioner of 'lietents. Washingtonfllf i 

